These Three Players Of Nigerian Descent Signed Arsenal’s Under-18 Deal
European clubs are known for seeking out young talent and helping them develop into stars. They do this by setting up youth teams and even offering scholarships to the young players.
Recently, Arsenal continued in that tradition by offering scholarship deals to 23 players who will be playing in their under-18 team. Among these new intakes are players of Nigerian descent, and we at Konbini have put together this list of the three most promising.
Xavier Amaechi
16-year-old Amaechi is an attacking midfielder. While in high school, he was selected to play for England’s under-15 team. During the 2016 Future Cup tournament in Netherlands, involving various youth teams, Amaechi scored the second goal in Arsenal’s game against Ajax, helping the team finish top of their group.
He also helped Arsenal’s under-16 team win the Liam Brady Cup this April after he scored the only goal in the final.His scholarship deal with Arsenal includes a guarantee that he will be offered a professional contract once he turns 17.
Joseph Olowu
Born in 1999, Olowu was 13 when Arsenal spotted him and admitted him into the Academy. He started off on the under-14 team and went on to join the under-18 team.
Although Olowu has been in competitions like the UEFA Youth League and the Under-18 Premier League Competitions, Arsenal youth football expert, Jeorge Bird has written that he’s still raw in some aspects of his game, but he’s ready to put in the work. This is probably the reason why Arsenal is already considering him as a player fit enough for their under-23 team.
Tobi Omole
From London-based football team, Thamesmead, Omole joined Arsenal’s under-14 team. Now 17, the teenager has appeared in 14 under-18 premier league competitions and is already seeing himself as the brain of the team – which, according to him, has to do with reading the game, anticipating moves and supporting attacks.
